Sterile Processing Tech I

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

6/11/2026

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

420004

Job Title:

Sterile Processing Tech I

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The Sterile Processing Technician I is an entry level reprocessing position responsible for the effective and efficient decontamination, cleaning, sterilization, and reprocessing of patient equipment, surgical instrumentation, and medical supplies.  Working under direct supervision and guidance, this position exercises little independent judgment.

The Sterile Processing Technician I may be assigned to any of the following locations: University Hospital, American Family Children's Hospital, Digestive Health Center, The American Center, Madison Surgery Center, Transformations, or associated outpatient facilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Under the guidance of another Reprocessing employee, the Sterile Processing Technician I will be educated on effective reprocessing of surgical instrumentation, outpatient instrumentation, and patient care equipment (IV pumps, epidural pumps, SCDs, Respiratory Therapy equipment, etc.)

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Cleans, decontaminates, inspects, and assembles a high variety of complex surgical instruments, which may include complex endoscopes, Da Vinci robotic instruments, organ transplant instruments, and delicate ophthalmic instruments

•

Operates and troubleshoots cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization equipment, including cart washers, sonic washers, pasteurizers, washer/decontaminators, tee probe disinfectors, steam sterilizers, Hydrogen Peroxide sterilizers, Ethylene Oxide sterilizers, and scope washers

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Provides support to any or all of the following operation room service lines: Anesthesia, Burn, Perfusion, Cardiovascular, Thoracic, ENT, Ophthalmology, Plastics, Trauma, General Surgery, Urology, Kidney, & Liver Transplant, OB/Gynecology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Peripheral Vascular

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Identifies problems with the sterilization equipment by review of the machine’s output and initiates corrective action. Interprets various graphs, printouts, biological tests, and integrators.

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Completes autoclave records, places the biological tests and integrators on each load, and delivers finished loads to cooling locations

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Advises customers on proper cleaning, packaging, and sterilization techniques. Ensures tracking paperwork and customer charges are correct.

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Ensures the instrument tracking database system is maintained and accurate

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Maintains an audit trail for Reprocessing budget and accountability purposes

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Non-Clinical

JOB REQUIREMENTS

No minimum education required.

High School Diploma

or equivalent

Preferred

Certification by CBSPD as a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician or IAHCSMM as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician

Preferred

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

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Must be able to stand for entire shift

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Excellent communication, customer service, human relations, and interpersonal skills

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Excellent organizational skills, detail-oriented, and self-motivated to complete duties in a timely manner

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Ability to read, write, and speak English proficiently

•

Basic mechanical ability

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Ability to follow instructions

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Basic mathematical skills

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Basic judgment and logic skills

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Knowledge of and ability to follow safety principles

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Knowledge of the calendar

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Ability to differentiate colors

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

☐

Sedentary: Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10#

Negligible

Negligible

☐

Light: Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that they can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

up to 20#

Up to 10# or requires significant walking or standing or requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.

Negligible or constant push/pull of items of negligible weight

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Medium: Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that they can also do sedentary and light work.

20-50#

10-25#

Negligible-10#

☐

Heavy: Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that they can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

50-100#

25-50#

10-20#

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Very Heavy: Very heavy work involves lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more. If someone can do very heavy work, we determine that they can also do heavy, medium, light, and sedentary work.

Over 100#

Over 50#

Over 20#

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.